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2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Jonathan Isaac?

By Philip Rossman-Reich

Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 14, 2017; Chapel Hill, NC, USA; Florida State Seminoles forward Jonathan Isaac (1) and North Carolina Tar Heels forward Luke Maye (32) fight for a rebound in the second half. The Tar Heels defeated the Seminoles 96-83 at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-USA TODAY Sports /
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Final Word

It is easy to fall in love with Jonathan Isaac and the potential within his somewhat slight 6-foot-10 frame. He does a lot of the things a team would like all with the physical tools to break through and become special.

The possibilities with Isaac as he grows and matures are endless.

The highlights suggest that too. He has the moves and the ability to do everything. There he is hitting a 3-pointer. There he is with a pull-up jumper. A spin fadeaway. A transition dunk, a putback, a block.

Potential tantalizes like that. That is what the Draft is all about.

And Isaac could be all of that and more. That is what teams are banking on. But he could also fall short of that. He could end up being exactly what he was at Florida State in the NBA.

What he was at Florida State was a solid defender. More than a solid defender, he has the chance to be an elite defender.

All those physical tools — his athleticism, wingspan and size — come together to turn him into a strong defender. There is every sense that will translate. He should become a solid defender.

Having a NBA-ready skill, especially one that is so hard to teach on the defensive end, is valuable. And the rest can fill itself in. That is something that has happened throughout the NBA.

And clearly he has the offensive skills. Potentially.

But for a team picking high in this draft, they need a star. They need someone who will step in and take the reigns of a team.

That might be tough to do as a freshman. But even at Florida State, Isaac was sometimes invisible offensively. He has a lot of the tools, but perhaps none of the confidence. Or, if not the confidence, the assertiveness to be that player.

Perhaps that can be learned. Perhaps not. That is the risk inherent in Isaac.

If John Hammond and Jeff Weltman have a type. And if they are truly emphasizing length and versatility. Isaac certainly fits that bill. He certainly fits that profile.

Next: 2017 Orlando Magic Draft Preview: Who is Frank Jackson?

With all of his potential, Isaac certainly would not be a stretch. It would probably be a good pick — if a risky one.